Public Service Division sends out reminder letter about taking gifts as Iswaran begins jail term

The Public Service Division (PSD) sent a letter on Oct. 7 to the chairs and board members of statutory boards clarifying what should be done with gifts.

It was on the day former transport minister S Iswaran started serving his 12-month prison sentence for four charges under Section 165 and one charge of obstruction of justice.

Under Section 165, it is an offence for public servants to obtain any valuable item from someone who they are involved with in an official capacity, without payment or with inadequate payment.

Board members of statutory boards are considered public servants

In response to media queries, the PSD said the letter had highlighted how statutory boards have prevailing guidelines on gifts, CNA reported.

The letter also pointed out that a board member of a statutory board carrying out official functions is considered a public servant for the purposes of Section 165.

The letter also thanked statutory boards for their contributions in building up Singapore.

Background

During Iswaran's sentencing on Oct. 3, presiding judge Vincent Hoong noted that the 62-year-old obtained for himself valuable items from two people — Ong Beng Seng and Lum Kok Seng — despite knowing that they were involved in business transactions that he was related to in his official capacity.

The four charges for Iswaran pertaining to Section 165 are:

• Obtaining 10 Green Room tickets to the 2017 Singapore F1 race, worth S$42,265 from Ong,
• Obtaining 14 whisky and wine bottles worth S$3,255.75 from Lum,
• Obtaining flights between Doha and Singapore and a hotel stay from Ong worth S$20,848.03, and
• Obtaining a Brompton T-Line bicycle worth S$7,907.50 from Lum.

Iswaran is also the first person to be reportedly convicted under Section 165.

Top photo by Andrew Koay/Mothership